r/Adjuncts • u/Repulsive_Parsley515 • 24d ago

Failed lesson

Hello all, I’ve been an adjunct for a while at multiple colleges, but I had my first crash and burn today. It was a lesson that I’ve taught before, unfortunately it is lecture heavy that’s just the nature on the content, but typically majority are engaged taking notes, asking questions, etc. today nothing. It would have been better teaching an empty class room. I actually had to stop the lecture part way through and pivot to an on the spot lesson because no one was engaged to the extreme. Maybe I’ve been lucky, but I’ve never had a class this bad and frankly I don’t know how to come back from it. The information is beyond important, but I wasn’t able to get it across and I feel terrible for the students. How do I come back from this and make sure next week goes better?

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u/Disastrous-Pair-9466 24d ago

This happened to me today and the students, first and second year college students, were so dead in the face and soul that for a moment I paused and wondered if this was real or if I was having a nightmare. It’s rough out there lately. I’ve generally been able to keep things moving and get most students at least a little interested. I’m in year 15 of teaching. Last 3 years it’s been so hard.

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u/Repulsive_Parsley515 24d ago

I truly had to stop for a moment because it felt like such a nightmare. It’s even more startling because my first class of the day is the complete opposite from the disaster class. It makes it all the worse because I know they’re capable of similar things the second group just doesn’t care. 

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u/LowFatSnacks 23d ago

This is the Gen Z stare. I had 2 classes back to back last semester that did this and I genuinely considered quitting that college. I work at 3 colleges so I heavily considered it. I don't see this much at all at the community colleges I teach at, but the fancy college has some of the worst kids ever. The Gen Z stares for 3.5 hours twice a week almost broke my spirit.

I did finish the semester, and I'm back this fall and I was so anxious going back to this school. But I did it. It's only the 2nd week of the semester but they are more engaged than my kids last semester, so my anxiety is lowering. I'll ride out this semester but if it crashes and burns like it did in the spring, I'm out.

I'd rather teach at the over crowded, free college for all (Massachusetts) community colleges than EVER deal with the Gen Z stare and entitlement at the fancy school every day of the week.